Folding tent



H. H. KLIPFEL Nov. 22, 1960 FOLDING TENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 28, 1957 INVENTOR HAROLD H. KL iPFEL A IEORNEYS Nov. 22, 1960 H. H. KLIPFEL 2,960,992

FOLDING TENT Filed March 28, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

HAROLD H. KL/PFEL ATTORNEYS United States Patent FOLDING TENT Harold H. Klipfel, 1513 w. Locust St., Lodi, Calif.

Filed Mar. 28, 1957, Ser. No. 649,130

4 Claims. (01. 135-4 The invention relates to foldable structures and more particularly to tents which can be folded and placed in a container in such a manner as to permit the container to be closed into a water-tight condition, the container occupying but a small fraction of the total volume occupied by the tent when the tent is in its unfolded or erected position.

The more recent years have seen an ever increasing demand for camping equipment such as tents, and especially for tents which can be folded so as to occupy a small space and thereby conserve the amount of room available in or about a motor vehicle used to transport such camping equipment. There has been a similar growing interest in camping equipment which offers a greater amount of comfort to the users than has been possible with .the equipment heretofore utilized.

' It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a folding tent which can be easily erected to assume a covering having substantial interior volume making its use very comfortable for its occupants.

. It is another object of the invention to provide a folding tent which can quickly, easily and positively be erected, and which can in an equally short time be folded or disassembled.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding tent which, upon being folded, can be placed in a container which is not only substantially water-proof but which can be hoisted, for example, to the top of a motor vehicle for ease of transportation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a folding tent which is economical to make and use.

'It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a folding tent in which the container for the tent serves a multiple purpose in that it can also be used as a support, as a bed, or as a container for camp supplies.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a folding tent in which the container for the tent is elevated from the surface of the ground and which therefore permits its use by persons or as storage for supplies which are desirably to be removed from ground moisture.

lt-is still a further object of the invention to provide a folding tent having a container which in itself is easily movable from the motor vehicle to the camp site.

It is another object of the invention to provide a folding tent in which the container therefor includes one or more folding tables which serve not only to enhance the water-tightness of the container but also to provide convenient table surfaces for the use of the campers.

It is another object of the invention to provide a generally improved folding tent.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiment described in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of a tent of the invention in itserected condition, the tent covering or envelope being shown in outline;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, illus- 2,960,992 Patented Nov. 22, 1960 ice trating three attitudes of the container and the confined tent structure as folding or unfolding proceeds;

Figure 3 is a view comparable to Figure 2 but showing the container in its completely folded position and in vertical attitude preparatory to being moved, a folding table also being shown preparatory to being removed from or attached to the adjacent side of the container;

Figure 4 is a perspective of the central folding mechanism of a longitudinal member;

Figure 5 is a view, partially in section, of the locking mechanism of a telescoping member;

Figure 6 is a perspective of one corner of the folding table showing a corner leg in folded attitude;

Figure 7 is a perspective of a folding table leg in extended attitude;

Figure 8 is a perspective of the corner of a folding table with the leg members removed;

Figure 9 is a perspective, partially in section, of the latching mechanism of a folding table leg.

While the folding tent of my invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments, depending upon the environment and the requirements of use, a considerable number of the herein shown and described embodiments have been made and used a great number of times in camping and in related activities, and have uniformly performed in a very satisfactory manner.

Serving in folded attitude to confine the tent covering,

generally designated by the numeral 11, and the tent superstructure 12, is a container 13 which, in the open or unfolded attitude shown most clearly in Figure 1, assumes the shape of a tray having a pair of coplanar bottom panels 16 and 17 provided with an adjacent end wall 18 and 19 respectively. In comparable fashion, the panel 16 has upstanding therefrom a pair of side panels 21 and 22 while the panel 17 has attached thereto at right angles a pair of side walls 23 and 24. The end walls and the side walls of each of the halves of container 13 are substantially similar and are so configured that when in closed position the engaging pair of marginal edges 26 and 27 of the two halvesare in close face to face relation. While such a snug fit is ordinarily adequate to keep moisture out of the container, additional moisture proofness is provided owing to a lip 28 encompassing the marginal edge 26 of one half of the container, the lip serving to keep out the moisture and particularly to safeguard against the entry of even a driving rain. Each of the halves of the container is hinged, or articulated to the other by a central pair of hinges 31 adapted to fold about an axis coplanar with the mating or face to face margin 32 of the panels 16 and 17 when the container is in the open or fiat position shown in Figure l.

Not only does the container 13 serve in its closed position to confine in water-tight fashion the superstructure 12 and the tent envelope 11 but it also serves as a useful supporting member itself, the container in its open or tray form enabling a mattress, sleeping bag or other equipment to be placed therein or to be otherwise used as an elevated supporting and protective surface, the case having at each corner a folding leg structure 36 which, in extended position, elevates the case 13 above the level of ground moisture.

The folding legs 36 can be folded inwardly so as to achieve a non-protruding surface, there being an overhang or apron 37, around the entire lower margin of the container as appears most clearly in Figure 1. When in the folded condition shown in Figure 3, consequently, the legs 36 do not project outwardly beyond the margin 37 and, by provision of a suitable number of suitcase locks 40 a pair of folding tables 41 can be attached to the opposite sides 42 and 43 of the container to be covered with a double thickness of material thus enhancing to As appears most clearly in Figure 1, the inner panels 22' and 24 are provided with appropriate mounting such as V collars (not shown) in which is securable in vertical atti-.

tude a pair of telescoping stanchions 51. Since each of the stanchions 51 is substantially identical to the other a description of one will vserve equally to describe the other. In comparable fashion, since the framework or structure at the left hand end of the tent .is substantially identical to the structure at the other end of the tent with the exceptions to be noted, a description of the left hand end of the tent will serve equallyto' describe the structure at the right hand end thereof.

The telescoping stanchion 51 includes a lower sleeve portion 52 and an upper'tubular portion 53 in telescoping relation therewith there being a latching mechanism 54 disposed in the sleeve member 52, the latching mechanism 54 being capable of locking the tube member 53 in an upwardly extended location and which also permits the tube 53 to be releasably detached from its upwardly projected position to enable the tube 53 to telescope downwardly into the sleeve '52. As can be seen with particular reference to Figure 5, the sleeve 52 has formed therein at an appropriate location an aperture 56 through which is projectable a button 57 urged outwardly by a spring 58, the spring 58 being held in proper attitude by a mounting 59 secured to the lower end of the spring. The mounting 59, the spring 58 and the button 57 are disposed within a transverse cylindrical recess 55 in a wooden plug 60 secured to the lower end of the tube 53. When the tube 53 is in extended position the button 57 is urged outwardly through the aperture 56, as shown in Figure 5, and when the tube 53 is to he telescoped inwardly, manual force against the outward urgency of the spring 58 is used to push the button 57 inwardly beyond the confining effect of the walls of the aperture 56 in the sleeve 52 and enables the tube 53 to be telescoped inwardly.

The stanchions 51 serve as main central supports for the tent structure, and between each of the stanchions 51 there extends a longitudinal member 61, or ridge pole, the ridge pole 61 being secured tothe upper end of each of the'tubes 53 by an appropriate bracket 62.

Projecting laterally in opposite directions from the bracket 62, and pivotally mounted thereon, is a first rib 63 and a second rib 64. Bracing the rib 64 with respect to the stanchion 51 is a releasable or foldable strut 66 which holds the rib 64 in its proper attitude while folding or unfolding of the tent proceeds. The strut 66 adds somewhat to the strength of the structure but is more of 4- engage with an aperture 83 in the belt 81 at a location approximately as shown in Figure 1, and for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Between the corresponding outer ends of the pair of ribs 63 and secured to the L-shaped plates 67 is a longitudinal member 86 which serves to support the tent covering or envelope 11 on the left hand side of the center ridge 61, thus serving'in the nature of a longitudinal rafter. The member 86 and the ribs 63 are collectively termed a left-hand bow 85.

On the other side of the tent, the tent envelope is preferably supported by two longitudinal members 88 and 89 in order to give a considerable amount of headroom. The longitudinal member 88 is joined to and exa convenience to be used at an appropriate stage in the erecting and disassembling of the folding tent, as will be described.

The left hand rib 63 is provided'at its outermost end with a gusset plate 67, the plate 67 being generally L- shaped and having mounted thereon and depending therefrom a strong canvas webbing 68 to which is secured the upper end of a tube 71 in telescoping relation with a sleeve 72 and being lockable with respect thereto owing to the provision of a latch mechanism 73 comparable in all respects to the mechanism 54 on the stanchion 51. The tube 71 and the sleeve 72 are collectively termed a spar 74, the spar 74 being pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end to a bracket 76 mounted on the adjacent corner of the container 13.

A web belt 81 is mounted on a suitable bracket 82 on the inner wall of the container and extends upwardly and over the ridge pole 61 as appears most clearly in Figure 1. The web belt 81 terminates in a book 82 adapted to tends between the outer ends of the ribs 64 whereas the longitudinal member 89 extends between the outer ends of a pair of struts 91, the struts 91 forming with the longitudinal member 89 a U-shaped structural member generally designated by the numeral 92, and, in this respect, being similar to the U-shaped member 93 comprised of the longitudinal member 88 and the rib pair 64.

The longitudinal member 89 is slightly shorter than the longitudinal member 88; and, consequently, the upper or inner ends 96 of the struts 91 are each displaced toward the transverse center plane of the tent, as appears most clearly in Figure 1. The upper ends 96 of the struts 91 are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the ribs 64, as by an appropriate pin mechanism 97, which enables the struts 91 and, more particularly, the U-shaped bow 92 to swing in a clockwise direction, as appears in Figure 1, about the pin mechanism 97 as a center and upwardly to a nesting arrangement with the bow member 93. As can be seen by reference to Figure 1, the location of the strut 91 below the elevation of the outer corners 98 of the bow-shaped member 93 results in a predetermined maximum angular attitude of the strut 91 with respect to the rib 64. Thus, as can be seen, the weight of the tent envelope bearing downwardly upon the junction of the strut 91 and the rib 64 results in a predetermined angular displacement between the strut 91 and the rib 64 of substantially the magnitude illustrated. Additional downward force is resisted by the jamming relationship shown and the tent headroom is thereby maintained. As stated, however, folding is easily effected by clockwise movement of the strut 91.

In a somewhat comparable fashion, an outer bow 101 comprising an elongated ground piece 102 having a pair of studs 103 extending upwardly therefrom is disposed in jamming relation with the corresponding corners 106 of the strut bow 92, the studs 103 being pivotally mounted to the outer ends of the struts 91 as by an appropriate pin mechanism 107. Preferably the pin mechanism and the bow members are so dimensioned as to maintain the bow 181 in vertical attitude.

When it is desired'to fold the tent structure from the erected attitude shown in Figure 1 it is merely necessary for the user to grasp the group bow 101 and swing it upwardly in a clockwise direction until'it nests withthe adjacent or middle or strut how 92. The nested bows 101 and 92 are thereupon both swung upwardly in a clockwise direction until they nest With the ridge how 93. At this juncture, the user encircles the adjacent longitudinal member 89 with the book 82 and inserts the hook 82 through the aperture 83 thereby holding the nested bows, in conjunction with the strut '66, in an attitude capable of supporting that part of the tent envelope covering the nested bows. This gives enough headroom to effect the final steps of folding.

With the right hand portion of the tent being held in upper or extended position the user can thereupon turn his attention to the portion of the tent generally overlying the left hand bow 85. Preferably, the next step consists of pushing inwardly on the button of the latch mechanism 73 to permit the tube 71 to telescope downwardly into the sleeve 72, the canvas web 68 permitting simultaneous downward collapse of the left hand rib 63. This move is followed by pushing inwardly on the button 57 on the latch mechanism 54, thereby permitting the downward telescoping of the tube 53 into the sleeve 52. At this juncture, the left hand side of the tent is substantially fully collapsed and the strut 66 can thereupon be released to permit the downward swinging of the rib 64, and the nested bows therein, into wholly collapsed position. The spar 74 is thence pivoted around the pin of the bracket 76 and comes to rest on the bottom panel of the container, the left hand rib 63 and its associated member 86 being folded about the webbing 68 as a hinge so as to overlie the spar 74. The central stanchions 51 and attendant nested bow members are thereupon removed from their sockets (not shown) and disposed so as to overlie the subjacent structure, the tent envelope being tucked neatly over the members so as to provide a relatively smooth protective surface.

The left hand container half can thereupon be swung about the axis of the hinges 31, and upwardly so as to assume the relative attitude indicated most clearly in Figure 2 and indicated by the numeral 100. A canvas covering 111 mounted at opposite ends 112 and 113 to g 161 in rigid erected attitude, the mechanism 171 includin a tongue 172 struck out from an end of the L-shaped member 152. Insertable over the tongue 172 is a pair of registering apertures 173 located adjacent the free end of a latch strut 174 rotatably mounted on the leg 161 by a collar 176 limited in translation by a pair of shoulders 177 formed on the leg 161. Transversely disposed in the strut 174 and extending therethrough approximately at j right angles to the axis of the apertures 173 is a latch bar the adjacent corners of the container provide, when in fully folded position of the container, a taut and waterproof covering for the end of the container, as appears most clearly in Figures 2 and 3. When the container reaches the completely folded attitude shown most clearly in outline in Figure 2 and indicated by the numeral 116 the corner legs 36 are folded into flat relationship, and the covering tables, for example the folded table 41, can thereupon be latched to the exposed surfaces of the container to provide additional protection. A pair of wheels 121 mounted on an axle 122 at one end of the container permits the user easily to transport the device to any desired location.

As most clearly appears in Figures 1, 2 and 4, mechanism is provided for locking the longitudinal members in rigid relation when the tent is to be erected and for articulating said longitudinal members when folding is to be effected. A resilient member 126, such as a spring, is secured by an appropriate mounting 127 and 128 afiixed to the adjacent ends 129 and 130, respectively, of each of the tubular longitudinal tent members. The resilient member urges the adjacent tube ends into abutting relation and a sleeve 131 encompassing the tube is translated so as to overlie the butt joint when rigid locking is to be effected. On the other hand, when folding is to be performed, the sleeve 131 is slid in either direction until it abuts with one or the other of a pair of limit stops 132 preferably struck up from the tube body, at which juncture the two tube sections can be folded, as appears in Figure 2, the resilient member being elongated as folding takes place, but serving to link together the corresponding tube halves so that later tent assembly is quickly accomplished.

Figures 69 illustrate a type of folding leg structure which is particularly suitable for use with the protective tables 41 but which can also be used for the legs supporting the container 13 in its horizontal or open attitude, the container margins 37 serving admirably as supports for the leg mounts. In either event, the leg structure, generally designated 151 includes an L-shaped strap 152 secured by suitable fastenings 153 to the adjacent aprons 154 and 155 of the device to be supported.

A pair of corner ears 157 and 158 serve to support a pin 159 on which a corner leg 161 is pivotally mounted, the leg 161 being swingable between the erect attitude shown in Figure 7 and the folded attitude appearing in Figure 6.

A comparable pair of ears 162 and 163 serve to support a pin 164 about which a leg strut 166 is swingably movable, the strut 166 being afiixed at the other end to the leg 161 so as to swing therewith.

A latch mechanism 171 is provided to hold the leg 181, the bar 181 being pivotally mounted about a notch 182 in engagement with the Wall of the strut tubing 174 and urgeable in a downward direction by a spring 183.

When latching is to be effected the strut 174 is urged toward the tongue 172, the strut being positioned so that the tongue 172 passes through the apertures 173. In so doing, the cam shaped tip 186 of the tongue cams upwardly the latch bar 181 against downward urgency of the spring 183, the bar riding on the top surface 187 of the tongue until a slot 188 is reached, the bar 181 there upon being urged downwardly into the slot into latching engagement with the tongue. In order to unlatch the mechanism, the free end 189 of the latch bar 181 is tilted or tipped so as to release the bar from the slot 188, enabling the strut to be pulled away from engagement with the tongue 172 and to be swung around into coplanar relationship with the stmt 166 and the leg 161, said members being thereupon swingable into the position shown most clearly in Figure 6.

It can therefore be seen that I not only have provided a folding tent which occupies but a minimum amount of space in its folded condition, and which arranges the bulk in a fashion most convenient for one person to handle, but I have also provided an easily portable waterproof container therefor which is elevatab'le above the ground yet which can be folded to assume a configura tion especially suitable for transporting within or on the top of a passenger vehicle.

What is claimed is:

l. A folding tent comprising: a centrally hinged case foldable about a transverse axis from a closed position to an open position wherein said case assumes an elongated rectangular tray configuration including a bottom panel, a pair of side walls, and a pair of end walls, said case having a plurality of foldable legs mounted on said bottom panel; a pair of telescoping stanchions detachably mounted on said case at one of the pair of corners having a common side wall; a ridge pole extending between the tops of said stanchions; a first bow pivotally mounted on said stanchions and extending laterally in one direction therefrom; a second bow pivotally mounted on said stanchions and extending laterally in the other direction therefrom; means pivotally mounted on said first bow for supporting said first bow; means pivotally mounted on said second bow for supporting said second bow, said second bow supporting means including a first tubular U-shaped member having a longitudinal member having mounted thereon a first pair of spaced legs, said first pair of legs being pivotally mounted adjacent the outer extremities of said second bow, and a second tubular U-shaped member having a longitudinal member having mounted thereon, a second pair of spaced legs, said second pair of legs being pivotally mounted on said first pair of legs adjacent the ends of said longitudinal member of said first tubular U-shaped member; and a tent covering adapted to enclose and be supported by said case, said ridge-pole, said bows and said bow-supporting means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said ridge pole and each of said bows and each of said longitudinal members is articulated and foldable about a central location thereof lying in a plane transverse to the length of said tray and including said transverse axis thereof.

3. A folding tent comprising case foldable about a transverse axis to form an open elongated horizontal tray; a pair of frameworks each mounted at opposite ends of longitudinal members being articulated and foldable intwo halves about a central location thereof lying in a vertical plane transverse to the length of said trays and including said transverse axis thereof; means for selectively maintaining each of said longitudinal members in rigid relationship; and resilient means for connecting said two halves of each member to maintain a connection therebetween as said member is folded.

4. A folding tent comprising: a centrally hinged case folda ble about a transverse axis from a closed to an open position and thereby forming an open elongated horizontal tray; a pair of frameworks each mounted at a ditferent end of said tray and each lying substantially in a ventical plane transverse to the length of said tray and extending in said plane above said tray and laterally outward therefrom, each of said frameworks including a vertical stanchion mounted at a first lateral side of said tray, a first vertical supporting member mounted at the other lateral side of said tray, first meanst for connecting the upper ends of said stanchion and said first supporting member, a second vertical supporting member laterally removed from said first side of said by tray and in a direction away from said second side and supported on the ground, and second means for connecting the upper ends of said stanchion and said second supporting member, the connections between said tray and said stanchions and said supporting members and said connecting means being articulated whereby each of said frameworks is foldable in the corresponding vertical plane thereof and into collapsed position substantially in the plane of said tray; a plurality of longitudinal members aligned parallel to the length of said tray and including a ridge pole connecting the upper ends of said stanchions, a first longitudinal member connecting the upper ends of said first supporting members, and a second longitudinal member connecting the upper ends of said second supporting members, each of said longitudinal members having means formed thereon at a location corresponding with the vertical plane of said transverse axis of said tray and selectively operable for folding said longitudinal members into redoubled position when said frameworks are in collapsed'position and uponre-folding of said tray into said closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Popular Science Magazine article, page 167, June 1955. 

